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The Reporter
July - August 2025
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“No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy,
if you're playing a solo game,
you'll always lose out to a team.”
-- Reid Hoffman --
Linkedin co-founder
| | Freddie Mac Expands CHOICEHome Program to Include Single-Section CrossMod® Homes, Improving Access to Attainable Housing Nationwide | | This move expands Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome® mortgages to increase the availability of these modern factory-built single-section homes, encouraging more buyers and builders to consider them as an attractive option. This financing option became available to lenders on August 6, 2025. CHOICEHome mortgages are appraised using similar methods as site-built homes. | |
HUD's Innovative Housing Showcase
"The American Home
is the American Dream"
Returns to the National Mall
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Various THA Directors and participating THA members will have an exclusive opportunity to engage with federal policymakers on national issues during MHI on the Hill, on September 9th and 10th, in Washington, D.C.
Held in conjunction with HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase, this event will bring together more than 5,000 attendees, including policymakers, housing industry representatives, media, and the public.
Throughout the event, industry attendees will be briefed on the latest policy issues, meet directly with decision-makers shaping the industry, and connect with peers during several networking events—including a special HUD-hosted open house for elected officials.
| | As part of the showcase of factory-built homes on the Mall, UMH Properties, Inc. is sponsoring three homes in partnership with Cavco Industries, Champion Homes, and Ritz-Craft. The homes include a single-section ADU and two multi-section homes. In addition, Clayton Homes will display a single-section CrossMod® home, showcasing the innovation and flexibility of this category. | | Chassis, Chassis, Chassis | | |
A few weeks ago, THA sent members a Housing Alert discussing the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025. If you didn't read that email, then click the link above and read it now.
However, that is not the only piece of legislation that is addressing the removal of a manufactured home's chassis, in an effort to expand the industry's product offerings. NOT to replace current products, but to EXPAND the list of products we can offer customers.
Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced another bi-partisan bill entitled, the “Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025”, which also would remove the HUD requirement that manufactured homes be constructed with a permanent chassis.
There is a lot of work going on in Washington to address the home deficit in America right now. Our national organization, MHI, is all in the middle of this! The closer we get to the 2026 elections, the more you are going to hear and hopefully, the more substantial the effort.
Keep your eyes and ears open for those legislators who support factory-built housing as one of the solutions to America's housing shortage.
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A Guide for Landlords
to Remain Competitive
Read what renters really want, as discussed in the Paletz Law blog.
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Changes to TN Rules & Regulations for Manufactured Housing
Still Pending Implementation Date
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The Department of Commerce & Insurance has completed processing the approved changes to the Rules & Regulations for Manufactured Housing and is waiting for the Secretary of State to finalize the implementation date.
As a reminder:
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The Manufactured Housing Section (the “Section”) has combined Chapter 0780-02-05 (Installation of Manufactured Homes), and Chapter 0780-02-08 (Used Factory Manufactured Homes), into Chapter 0780-02-04 (New Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles), to be renamed “Manufactured Housing”. The Section believes this will be more convenient and provide more clarity to have all rules related to manufactured homes in one chapter. Rules will be rearranged for clarity after the combining of the three current chapters.
- Rules that were an unnecessary restatement of statutory language have been removed.
- All rules concerning park trailers and recreational vehicles have been removed.
| | How Americans Pay For Their Homes | | A recent report, published by Pew, discusses how Americans pay for their homes. This is an interesting read and includes thoughts on manufactured housing. | | | THA online educational classes will remain open throughout the extended holiday weekend, however, staff will be unavailable to assist by phone or e-mail with technical questions. The office will re-open on Tuesday morning, September 2, 2025. | | Upcoming National Meetings | | |
2025 MHI Annual Meeting (Members Only)
September 29–October 1, 2025, Omni La Costa, Carlsbad, California
2025 MHI National Communities Council Fall Leadership Forum
November 5–7, 2025, Westin Michigan Avenue, Chicago
2026 MHI Winter Meeting
February 16 - 18, 2026 JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
| | 2025 THA-PAC Campaign - In Full Swing | | |
Annually, we encourage our members to support Tennessee's legislative efforts, by contributing to the Political Action Committee campaign. Click on the Donate Button [right] to make an online contribution or you may choose to download a contribution form.
The 2025 Campaign has a goal of $65,000. We appreciate everyone who worked with the association in 2024 to build the PAC in an effort to support and educate legislators. This is a critical component to our mission of preserving and increasing affordable, attainable housing in Tennessee.
Find the PAC webpage here!
| | | 2026 Educational Scholarships | | |
Up to four (4) Scholarships will be awarded in 2026 through the Factory-Built Home Industry. Stay tuned for more information to be posted in the Fall of 2025 on THA's Scholarship Page (https://tnmha.org/scholarship)
- Two (2) $2,500 Scholarships will be available for trade school (certification program) students.
- Two (2) $5,000 Scholarships will be available for degree program students.
- Qualifying students must be pursuing a certification or degree which supports the construction industry.
| | 2026 Most Beautiful Home Awards | | Customers Scott and DeeDee Ginder (Oneida, TN) and Jana Ewy (Dandridge, TN) both won $2,500 for their entries in the 2025 Most Beautiful Home Contest! Watch their interviews and see their homes on this short video! | | | | |
2026 THA Annual Member’s Meeting
June 7 - 9, 2026
Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort
1210 Dollywood Resorts Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
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Did you see the THA Member Tool Kit emails
in July and August?
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Download the graphics and videos from your e-mails!
If you missed them, go back and search the dates or the subject lines with these titles...
July dated 7/10/2025 -
"Smart Homes, Smart Living"
August dated 8/08/2025 -
"Stop Renting, Start Owning"
| | Websites and Social Media Accounts | | |
THA Association Website: https://tnmha.org/
Go to THA’s main website for the latest industry news, show dates, legislative action items, licensing educational news, scholarship information, member listings, PAC updates and so much more! There is no log in or password needed for this site!
THA Educational Website: https://education.tnmha.org/
This is the direct link to the educational platform where courses are available for initial licensing/certification and continuing education! Please check the Association website (tnmha.org) throughout the year for special announcements, field updates, and yearend deadlines. You must have a log in and password for your educational account, but not the Association website.
THA Annual Meeting Website: https://thaannualmeeting.com/
This annual meeting website has been established for the purpose of collecting and posting annual notices and ongoing developments for future member meetings or special events. The main website will link to this site and save space on the member’s ‘business tool’ website to allow for more member photos of those special events!
THA Consumer Website: https://www.tennesseemanufacturedhomes.com/
This is a consumer-facing website which allows consumers to tour homes and send messages directly to THA members for home quotes, community inquiries, inquire about financing or reach one of our service/suppliers. You must be a THA member to have your business listed on this site.
| | Follow us on social media! | | Pretty Home? Let Us Film It! | | |
The production team at ManufacturedHomes.com is always looking for installed manufactured and modular homes that will represent the industry in our state. If any of our THA members have recently set a home and the landscaping is now complete, drop a picture of the exterior to Rick@manufacturedhomes.com
| | Use these links to make changes or additions to your TennesseeManufacturedHomes.com listing. | | 2025 Tennessee MH Education | | |
The educational portal opened on January 3rd and will close on December 5, 2025.
Pick your course. Pay online. Access Online.
Print your certificate of completion right from your dashboard!
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2025 Initial Licensing
Opened 01/03/2025
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2025 Continuing Education
Opened 01/03/2025
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Installation Basics Training
Remains Open
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Discounts are available for THA member companies ONLY!
Members were e-mailed their discount code on January 3rd at 1:02 pm, CST.
(If you cannot locate your code, email Office@tnmha.org
for your member discount coupon, prior to purchase!)
| | Community Owners and Managers Education | |
Accredited Community Manager (ACM) - Designation -
The ACM curriculum is a two-part course for owners and managers of manufactured home communities. Topics include management and resident policies, community maintenance, leasing and sales techniques, marketing communities, taxes, insurance, financial management, business planning, physical asset management, and federal and fair housing laws.
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Professional Housing Consultant (PHC)
- Designation -
The PHC curriculum is a comprehensive study of manufactured housing for retail salespeople. Topics include retailer responsibilities, land-home and personal property financing, fair housing, and selling skills.
| | | 70th Anniversary Industry Video | | | | Follow us on social media! | | | | |
